LMU-DCOM Class of 2011

[blondydoc]

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I didn't see a fee on the Stafford Loans either. Only the 3% origination fee with Grad Plus.

I plan on living below my means to pay off my loans as quick as I can, so that is why I am looking towards the lenders with principal reductions. I'm pretty sure the IRR is better for those people who plan on extended their loans out for 30 years or so.

 

[Dr Jamie 151385]

Hey everybody, I found this really neat link that SIU has for incoming medical students. Each medical school class creates a kind of info booklet which is passed down from incoming class to incoming class with bits of information, suggestions, and wisdom as kind of a tradition that I thought we might like to start for our school. It gives reviews of classes and professors, what books we actually use and which ones are worthless, what restaurants in town actually have good food and which ones spit in the medical students lunches lol,,, Heres the link and let me know what everybody thinks about this, I think it might be a really good tradition to start and it could really help out incoming classes....www.siumed.edu/students/2008cdalestudenttostudenthandbook.pdf

I checked out the link, and it sounds like a great idea.

One of the tips from their students was to bring some of your undergrad books with you to med school. Is anyone else planning on doing that? I was planning on selling all of my old textbooks pretty soon.

 

[lrobin15]

The way I read it...none of the lenders have origination fees for the Stafford loans, but all of them have one for the Grad plus loans...

Am I misreading something?

I hope I haven't misspoken. I had them for undergrad and they definately had a 3% guarantee fee (I even looked back at my original paperwork), but maybe this if for undergrad only! I will call and double check when they open and let you know. I definately see on their website that they say no fees on the Stafford.

 

[Juneau]

I checked out the link, and it sounds like a great idea.

One of the tips from their students was to bring some of your undergrad books with you to med school. Is anyone else planning on doing that? I was planning on selling all of my old textbooks pretty soon.

I am planning on bringing my undergrad books. I feel the more places I can look things up, especially if I am familiar with the text, the better.

If there are texts that you liked, I would keep them. If there are texts that you had difficulty understanding or were poorly written for your style, sell them since you will not use them anyway.

I am sure you will have plenty of people to go to for answers that have other texts available. I will help out any way I can after we get done running.

 

[MJB]

I checked out the link, and it sounds like a great idea.

One of the tips from their students was to bring some of your undergrad books with you to med school. Is anyone else planning on doing that? I was planning on selling all of my old textbooks pretty soon.

Just a personal opinion..but if you think there is any chance you might use it...I'd bring it. I sold all my undergrad stuff and wish I hadn't...you spend too much on them to get pennies on the dollar for them.

I plan to bring all my stuff I've used over the last couple years, including MCAT review, just in case I might be able to make use of it.

I know it sounds silly, but I wish I had kept all/most of my undergrad books.

 

[TzDoc]

I checked out the link, and it sounds like a great idea.

One of the tips from their students was to bring some of your undergrad books with you to med school. Is anyone else planning on doing that? I was planning on selling all of my old textbooks pretty soon.

I'm bringing my undergrad books, but only the one's that were useful (ie biochem). I also will have an electronic copy of a few books a friend of mine uses at his med school. I don't know if it will be useful, but I will make it available to everyone so that we can have an extra resource to use! 😀

 

[nascardoc]

I didn't see a fee on the Stafford Loans either. Only the 3% origination fee with Grad Plus.

I plan on living below my means to pay off my loans as quick as I can, so that is why I am looking towards the lenders with principal reductions. I'm pretty sure the IRR is better for those people who plan on extended their loans out for 30 years or so.

After reading this, I was curious about the math, so I decided to figure it out to see if Chase or EdAm would be better b/c I would like to payoff the loans much quicker than 30 years, so I decided on 10 years.


This was my criteria:

Loan Balance (Stafford only): $175,000
Years to Payoff Loan: 10

What I found:
Interest Paid to EdAm: $53,232
Interest Paid to Chase: $46,938
Interest Difference: $6,294
PR's from EdAm total: $3,106
Interest Difference - PR's: $3,188

Conclusion: Save $3,188 with Chase

I didn't add in interest that adds during deferment b/c I can't remember if it adds to the principal balance, but if it does, one would only save more with Chase b/c I did run the numbers again using a loan balance of $200,000 over 10 years and found that Chase saves $3,642.

My goal was not to prove anyone wrong or right, so please don't take offense if it seems I am trying to rub something in anyone's face. This is not my intention b/c quite frankly, if the numbers differed from my opinion, I would change lenders myself. I just wanted to see what the numbers showed and try to save everyone some money.

BTW, we've broken the 80 mark for days until school starts. 78 more days 😱 😀

 

[MJB]

Thanks for running those numbers nd...

78 days? Not enough...I have too much to do.

I really had hoped to take some relaxation time before school started, but it's not looking like it..

By relaxation, I mean being settled into the new home, etc...

 

[gallagher22]

On an unrelated note to financial aid, what are your significant others/wives/husbands doing for work near Harrogate, TN? My boyfriend is coming with, and we are having trouble finding a job for him. It might come down to just moving there, and finding a job afterwards. Any thoughts?

 

[MJB]

Living on the north side of Knoxville somewhere so she can work there.

Looked/tried to get jobs in Middlesboro, etc....and never heard anything back.

We're fine with the decision, as rotations seem to be plentiful in Knoxville.

 

[nascardoc]

I did the numbers for the GradPlus loan with the following criteria:

Amount taken out: $40,000
Deferred for 4 years with interest added to balance
Payoff in years: 10
Interest rate: 8.5% (minus any IRR's)

Findings:
Chase
Balance after 4 year deferment with 0.3% IRR: $54,320
Interest Paid after 10 years of payments: $24,033

EdAm
Balance after 4 year deferment with 1.5% IRR: $51,989
Interest Paid after 10 years of payments: $18,850

Interest Difference: $5,183
Balance Difference: $2,331
Total Difference: $7,514
Chase PR total: $1,731
Total Difference - Chase PR total: $5,783

Conclusion: Save $5,783 with EdAm

 

[nascardoc]

Thanks for running those numbers nd...

78 days? Not enough...I have too much to do.

I really had hoped to take some relaxation time before school started, but it's not looking like it..

By relaxation, I mean being settled into the new home, etc...

I hear ya. Although I have already played golf each of the past 2 weekends and will be this weekend. But trying to sell the condo, find the realtor's sign that was taken from the yard, finding houses we like in TN, things are getting crazy. We did find the realtor's sign after finding out the city took it b/c it was on city property by 1 foot 😡 We didn't have a sign all weekend 😡 🙁 But we got it back today.

On an unrelated note to financial aid, what are your significant others/wives/husbands doing for work near Harrogate, TN? My boyfriend is coming with, and we are having trouble finding a job for him. It might come down to just moving there, and finding a job afterwards. Any thoughts?

What field does your boyfriend work in? Where are you going to be living?

 

[nascardoc]

My wife found this on the Chicago Tribune's (major chicago newspaper) website about a school in TN. What in the hell were these teachers thinking??? 😱 😱 😱

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...54.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

[MJB]

I hear ya. Although I have already played golf each of the past 2 weekends and will be this weekend. But trying to sell the condo, find the realtor's sign that was taken from the yard, finding houses we like in TN, things are getting crazy. We did find the realtor's sign after finding out the city took it b/c it was on city property by 1 foot 😡 We didn't have a sign all weekend 😡 🙁 But we got it back today.

Your city sounds like a swell bunch of people...instead of moving it..they stole it? Wow...

We're looking, and looking, and looking, and looking for houses...can't seem to find anything that sticks out yet...so I'm a little nervous.

No golf for me it's already too hot (it was in the 90's all weekend here, and today)...

Did look up courses near where we hope to live in K-ville...Three Ridges and Dead Horse Lake look quite nice!

 

[gallagher22]

What field does your boyfriend work in? Where are you going to be living?

My boyfriend works in the GIS field (geographical information systems) -- basically a modern day map maker. We were talking about living halfway between Knoxville and Harrogate (since there isn't much around Harrogate). Does anyone think that could get to be a long time in the car everyday?

So, I am thinking if he doesn't want to work at a grocery store in Middlesboro, we need to look in the Knoxville area.

 

[nascardoc]

My boyfriend works in the GIS field (geographical information systems) -- basically a modern day map maker. We were talking about living halfway between Knoxville and Harrogate (since there isn't much around Harrogate). Does anyone think that could get to be a long time in the car everyday?

So, I am thinking if he doesn't want to work at a grocery store in Middlesboro, we need to look in the Knoxville area.

I would definately try something in Knoxville for jobs. Yeah, the drive my get old sometimes, but you do get used to it. When I was an undergrad, driving to and from Chicago during rush hour, one learns how to deal with driving. It would take 1.5 hours to go 25 miles. In TN, it should only take 30-40 minutes to get to school from about 35 miles away, so its not all that bad.

 

[3boysdad]

2-lane rds but not bad.
Many RN's commute / work 3-12's in Knoxville (aka Knoxvegas😉).
Take a look at Morristown as well, population 28k. 50min's away... w/ a mall 😀.

 

[gallagher22]

Thanks for the help and advice on driving! It makes me feel better that there is going to be something worthwhile for him, since he is going to be here for 4+ years. I knew I loved the school and the area, but I pretty much have my next couple years planned out -- STUDY!

 

[3boysdad]

Since our 3rd and 4th will be in knoxville or morristown we plan on moving to one or the other.😎

Really minimize the commute.😉

 

[Doctor Acula]

hey guys,

I know a lot of this stuff has been posted throughout the series of posts we have made, but can I get a concise post to help my dad and i get in touch with some solid real estate people in the area. It's a little less than two weeks until we head up to Harrogate to explore and my dad wants me to set up some meetings before we get up there.

any concise info would be a huge help. thanks!

 

[3boysdad]

Shelly Mills
423.851.2982

She was great for us and knows the area well.

 

[blondydoc]

After reading this, I was curious about the math, so I decided to figure it out to see if Chase or EdAm would be better b/c I would like to payoff the loans much quicker than 30 years, so I decided on 10 years.


This was my criteria:

Loan Balance (Stafford only): $175,000
Years to Payoff Loan: 10

What I found:
Interest Paid to EdAm: $53,232
Interest Paid to Chase: $46,938
Interest Difference: $6,294
PR's from EdAm total: $3,106
Interest Difference - PR's: $3,188

Conclusion: Save $3,188 with Chase

I didn't add in interest that adds during deferment b/c I can't remember if it adds to the principal balance, but if it does, one would only save more with Chase b/c I did run the numbers again using a loan balance of $200,000 over 10 years and found that Chase saves $3,642.

My goal was not to prove anyone wrong or right, so please don't take offense if it seems I am trying to rub something in anyone's face. This is not my intention b/c quite frankly, if the numbers differed from my opinion, I would change lenders myself. I just wanted to see what the numbers showed and try to save everyone some money.

BTW, we've broken the 80 mark for days until school starts. 78 more days 😱 😀

I'm glad you're pointing this out, because I haven't sat down and done the math yet!

 

[nascardoc]

I'm glad you're pointing this out, because I haven't sat down and done the math yet!

Not a problem. It was interesting to see how the numbers worked out. I filled out my stafford application last night. Tonight, I will tackle the GradPlus loan.

 

[Marthea007]

hey guys,

I know a lot of this stuff has been posted throughout the series of posts we have made, but can I get a concise post to help my dad and i get in touch with some solid real estate people in the area. It's a little less than two weeks until we head up to Harrogate to explore and my dad wants me to set up some meetings before we get up there.

any concise info would be a huge help. thanks!

Mark King, with the Realty Network.
423-869-3121

 

[nascardoc]

Where the hell is everyone??? 😴 😴 😴 😴 😴 Docmom goes away and everyone else does too 🙁

As an FYI, DCOM is not giving tours of the school right now. I emailed Dr. Leo about visiting next week and he said there is a lot of work going on, especially with the ceilings and that there is just too work right now to have people walk thru 🙁 I was so looking forward to seeing everything too - oh well. Maybe Docmom will hook us up with some pics once she gets settled down in TN. I put money on it that she rides a horse to orientation

 

[MJB]

Where the hell is everyone??? 😴 😴 😴 😴 😴 Docmom goes away and everyone else does too 🙁

As an FYI, DCOM is not giving tours of the school right now. I emailed Dr. Leo about visiting next week and he said there is a lot of work going on, especially with the ceilings and that there is just too work right now to have people walk thru 🙁 I was so looking forward to seeing everything too - oh well. Maybe Docmom will hook us up with some pics once she gets settled down in TN. I put money on it that she rides a horse to orientation

Sounds like I was there just in the nick of time! I think i was actually with the person that took some of the recent pics. I'm looking forward to seeing it all come together. When I was in the building, you could tell that things were about to start moving VERY quickly...almost all the "prep" work was done, and it was about to move into "finish" work from what I could tell.

The views from the walkouts on the 2nd level are just awesome. I might run up there to get a T-shirt...gotta figure out where the union/bookstore is I guess.

 

[nmperett]

Sounds like I was there just in the nick of time! I think i was actually with the person that took some of the recent pics. I'm looking forward to seeing it all come together. When I was in the building, you could tell that things were about to start moving VERY quickly...almost all the "prep" work was done, and it was about to move into "finish" work from what I could tell.

The views from the walkouts on the 2nd level are just awesome. I might run up there to get a T-shirt...gotta figure out where the union/bookstore is I guess.

my t-shirt was delivered yesterday!!! ... 9.25% sales tax ... nice


is anyone else behind on the financial aid packets? is there a deadline??

 

[MJB]

I hope they make window clings/stickers of the LMU-DCOM Seal that we can buy.

 

[Dr Jamie 151385]

Where the hell is everyone??? 😴 😴 😴
Docmom goes away and everyone else does too 🙁

As an FYI, DCOM is not giving tours of the school right now. I emailed Dr. Leo about visiting next week and he said there is a lot of work going on, especially with the ceilings and that there is just too work right now to have people walk thru 🙁 I was so looking forward to seeing everything too - oh well. Maybe Docmom will hook us up with some pics once she gets settled down in TN. I put money on it that she rides a horse to orientation

Ha ha!! I would definitely expect that from her! 👍

 

[nascardoc]

my t-shirt was delivered yesterday!!! ... 9.25% sales tax ... nice


is anyone else behind on the financial aid packets? is there a deadline??

Did you order your shirt online or from the bookstore? I looked online awhile ago and I didn't see anything.

As for the FinAid, I believe it has to be done by July 15 or so. The stafford application takes 45-60 minutes to complete and you can't fill out a part, come back later to fill it out. You have do the whole application in one sitdown otherwise you lose your progress.

Chicago has 8.25% sales tax in addition to wonderful 🙄 real estate taxes. We paid $2500 last year for a 850 sq ft condo. Friends of ours paid over $5000 last year for a townhouse and my cousin paid over $9000 for her single family home. They will be paying more taxes in a month then what we will pay in a year in TN 😀 👍

 

[nmperett]

Did you order your shirt online or from the bookstore? I looked online awhile ago and I didn't see anything.

As for the FinAid, I believe it has to be done by July 15 or so. The stafford application takes 45-60 minutes to complete and you can't fill out a part, come back later to fill it out. You have do the whole application in one sitdown otherwise you lose your progress.

Chicago has 8.25% sales tax in addition to wonderful 🙄 real estate taxes. We paid $2500 last year for a 850 sq ft condo. Friends of ours paid over $5000 last year for a townhouse and my cousin paid over $9000 for her single family home. They will be paying more taxes in a month then what we will pay in a year in TN 😀 👍

I couldn't find the shirts online so I called the bookstore and they took all my information and had one sent to me.... they were really nice about it 🙂

 

[froggiepremed]

my t-shirt was delivered yesterday!!! ... 9.25% sales tax ... nice


is anyone else behind on the financial aid packets? is there a deadline??

I'm a little behind on everything. I hate having to take off of work to see the doc about the shots, U/A etc, so it has taken longer than I want it to.

How much was the shirt? And didn't someone say it was slightly boring?

 

[nmperett]

I'm a little behind on everything. I hate having to take off of work to see the doc about the shots, U/A etc, so it has taken longer than I want it to.

How much was the shirt? And didn't someone say it was slightly boring?

it was $12.95... just plain, navy blue with the DCOM logo in the corner... shipping was like $6

 

[min_e]

As an FYI, DCOM is not giving tours of the school right now. I emailed Dr. Leo about visiting next week and he said there is a lot of work going on, especially with the ceilings and that there is just too work right now to have people walk thru 🙁 I was so looking forward to seeing everything too - oh well. Maybe Docmom will hook us up with some pics once she gets settled down in TN. I put money on it that she rides a horse to orientation

I was there last weekend and he tried to give us a tour of the building but there was just too much work going on, and it was even a saturday. And without hard hats on it is just too dangerous to go and see everything. We did go up to the second floor, and man the view is great! Also, the building seemed much bigger than I thought it was going to be on the inside.

We were able to view the student apartments and take some measurements. Even though in the one room apts it will be a bit cramped with a full size couch I think I still am going to get one. Because if you move the dresser to where they have the nightstand, and move the bed to where it is flush with the partition, I think there will be enough room for a couch along the long wall. 😱 I did take some more pics, but they basically look like what they have online. Anyone can PM me if you want me to post them.

The bookstore was not open so I could not get a look at the DCOM stuff. 🙁

We did eat at a great restaurant called Webb's Country Kitchen in Cumberland Gap which is like 2 minutes from the apts. So if you are in the area I recommend you check it out!!👍 👍

 

[Marthea007]

I was there last weekend and he tried to give us a tour of the building but there was just too much work going on, and it was even a saturday. And without hard hats on it is just too dangerous to go and see everything. We did go up to the second floor, and man the view is great! Also, the building seemed much bigger than I thought it was going to be on the inside.

We were able to view the student apartments and take some measurements. Even though in the one room apts it will be a bit cramped with a full size couch I think I still am going to get one. Because if you move the dresser to where they have the nightstand, and move the bed to where it is flush with the partition, I think there will be enough room for a couch along the long wall. 😱 I did take some more pics, but they basically look like what they have online. Anyone can PM me if you want me to post them.

The bookstore was not open so I could not get a look at the DCOM stuff. 🙁

We did eat at a great restaurant called Webb's Country Kitchen in Cumberland Gap which is like 2 minutes from the apts. So if you are in the area I recommend you check it out!!👍 👍

Oh my gosh EVERYONE in the area recommends that place. The B&B we stayed out, the realtor, even the people's house that we're looking at. It was really good though. 👍

 

[MJB]

Is that the place on the corner?

If so, it was recommended, but we didn't get the chance to try it yet.

We've had several places recommended to us that I'm looking forward to trying out.

Can't wait to get back down there, then be down there for good.

 

[jen48]

Is that the place on the corner?

If so, it was recommended, but we didn't get the chance to try it yet.

We've had several places recommended to us that I'm looking forward to trying out.

Can't wait to get back down there, then be down there for good.

we are leaving on Sunday...what other places are around there

 

[min_e]

How do you upload pics?

 

[min_e]

Is that the place on the corner?

If so, it was recommended, but we didn't get the chance to try it yet.

We've had several places recommended to us that I'm looking forward to trying out.

Can't wait to get back down there, then be down there for good.

yeah it is the place on the corner it looks like a hole in the wall but the food is great😀

 

[Dr Jamie 151385]

How do you upload pics?

When you type your reply click on the paperclip (right of the smilies button) and you attach them like a regular email attachment. The pics have to be a certain size, so I normally have to crop most of mine.

 

[MJB]

Allow me to introduce Truman and Wilson...the wonder mutts....and the old man....Jake.


Yep, I'm bored, amazingly....

 

[Cat48100]

Allow me to introduce Truman and Wilson...the wonder mutts....and the old man....Jake.


Yep, I'm bored, amazingly....

I wanted to mentioned that your dogs are so cute. I have 2 dogs myself Gigi and Candy but they can't go with me to TN since I am going into the med student housing, but they will be with my mother, grandmother and sister.

BTW speaking of Webb's Country Kitchen, I have never been there but when I went to DCOM for my interview, Dr. Leo pointed it out during the tour. I later found the menu for the place on the Cumberland Gap website and it looks very good. I have always said that I wanted to try it when I finally move there.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

Just wanted to drop by and say hey. Everyone doing well?

I hadn't realized that you guys/gals began posting in the osteo forum rather than pre-osteo ... what gave? No wonder pre-osteo doesn't have the same vibe anymore

This does limit the number of thread hijacks, though ...

 

[nascardoc]

Just wanted to drop by and say hey. Everyone doing well?

I hadn't realized that you guys/gals began posting in the osteo forum rather than pre-osteo ... what gave? No wonder pre-osteo doesn't have the same vibe anymore

This does limit the number of thread hijacks, though ...

Nice to see you back again Dr. I. How about trying to stick around for awhile this time 😛

Our thread got moved here b/c some poster was b!tching and moaning about us purposely trying to stay at the top of the pre-osteo board and that wasn't fair to the other threads, especially since we don't post about anything important, anything relevant to pre-osteo students, and only talk about goats, etc., so the mods moved it. All I can say is So, we are here now.

Everything is going well with me. The wife and I are heading down to DCOM next week to get a house and see the school. She found out today that she has an interview at a firm in Knoxville when we head out there, so that is exciting. But other than that - not much is new.

How about yourself? What were you doing in your *ahem* spare time?

 

[Dr.Inviz]

Nice to see you back again Dr. I. How about trying to stick around for awhile this time 😛

Our thread got moved here b/c some poster was b!tching and moaning about us purposely trying to stay at the top of the pre-osteo board and that wasn't fair to the other threads, especially since we don't post about anything important, anything relevant to pre-osteo students, and only talk about goats, etc., so the mods moved it. All I can say is So, we are here now.

Everything is going well with me. The wife and I are heading down to DCOM next week to get a house and see the school. She found out today that she has an interview at a firm in Knoxville when we head out there, so that is exciting. But other than that - not much is new.

How about yourself? What were you doing in your *ahem* spare time?

That's funny. It probably was some LECOM-Bradenton "SDN hall monitor" (Only a guess, seeing how he was the only one to post in our thread).

So, searching for a house, eh? Good luck, it's crunch time.

Interview should go well -- as long as she mentions that she loves goats, apparently all will go well ... or not.

Me? Let's see -- nothing is really going on. We'll see if I can magically not get a hold for a week.

 

[MJB]

We'll see if I can magically not get a hold for a week.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!

 

[Marthea007]

Hmmmm... So I'm basically sol for this house. There's no way in hell I can get it by myself and my grandmother told us that she doesn't cosign. So saturday I'll be driving to her apartment and begging.... 👎

 

[MJB]

Sorry to hear that...that's a bummer.

Speaking of houses, wasn't today DMOM's official move in day?

 

[dr.kicia]

OMG...i leave for few days and look who is back...HI Dr.I!!!! 😀
i guess that i WAS right...Dr.I is special 😉

 

[Dr Jamie 151385]

Hmmmm... So I'm basically sol for this house. There's no way in hell I can get it by myself and my grandmother told us that she doesn't cosign. So saturday I'll be driving to her apartment and begging.... 👎

Sorry to hear the bad news! 👎

I bet there is still plenty of room at the DCOM apartments. Come join the party!! 😀